Mapquest New Release
Monday, January 31st, 2011
Mapquest provides Internet, mobile, and business solutions delivering on the promise of helping people research and discover driving directions: where is it, how I get there and what’s nearby. MapQuest is one of the free leading mapping tools online, offering maps and directions, and reaching more than 42.5 million users in December 2010. MapQuest’s mobile solutions are compatible with a variety of mobile devices, including iPhone and BlackBerry devices. MapQuest, a subsidiary of AOL, announced the launch of eight new mapping sites built on open technology and OpenStreetMap. Over the past seven months, MapQuest has launched a total of 18 country- and language-specific “open” sites in nations around the world, illustrating the true global need and benefit of open-source maps. According to a release, these “living maps” are improved by consumers who can add content and details that make the map more timely, customized, relevant and useful. The new sites include: -Australia: open.mapquest.com.au (British English) -Denmark: open.mapquest.dk (Danish) -Ireland: open.mapquest.ie (British English) -Mexico: open.mapquest.org.mx (American Latin Spanish) -New Zealand: open.mapquest.co.nz (British English) -Norway: open.mapquest.no (Norwegian) -Singapore: open.mapquest.com.sg (British English) -Sweden: open.mapquest.se (Swedish) “For the last seven months, we have been very committed to building out country-specific sites based on Open Street Map. Moving ahead, we will be focusing on how and where consumers are both using the maps and contributing to them,” said Christian Dwyer, senior vice president and general manager, MapQuest. “At MapQuest, it’s not just about building quality products, it’s about making them friendly for different user experiences, cultures and needs.” Each of the open sites launched to date includes the new MapQuest brand and interface, as well as: Language selection, Map tiles updated every 15 minutes, Search updated every 5 minutes, Driving directions updated daily, Map Toolbar for searching on the map, Send to Facebook, email or embed in website, More sharing and send to options, Draggable routes, Right-click on map to identify nearest location and help.